Big Game BULLETIN wvdnr.gov

Transcription

1 W E S T V I R G I N I A Big Game BULLETIN 2018 wvdnr.gov

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS BLACK BEAR... 2 Season Results and Highlights...2 Non-hunting Mortalities...2 Damage Payments and Nuisance Complaints...2 Black Bear Research...3 Tooth Collections...3 Reproductive Tract Collections...3 WILD TURKEY...12 Spring Harvest...12 Fall Harvest...12 Surveys...13 Spring Gobbler Survey...13 Brood Survey...13 Mast Survey WILD BOAR...20 WHITE-TAILED DEER...22 Deer Season...22 Special Deer Management Harvest...25 Non-hunting Mortalities...26 Deer Hunting Outlook...27 This bulletin was made possible through hunting and fishing license monies and funds from Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration. Project W-48-R-34 Statewide Wildlife Research WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION BULLETIN 19-1

4 BLACK BEAR by Colin P. Carpenter Season Results and Highlights West Virginia hunters harvested 2,606 black bears during the combined 2018 archery and firearms seasons (Tables 1,2 and 3). The 2018 harvest was 18% below the 3,160 bears killed in The black bear harvest of 2018 is the 6th highest kill recorded (Figure 1). The 2018 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook documented mast production for all species combined that was 22% below mast production in In addition, the mast index for all oak species in 2018 was 24% below the long-term average. Red oak, black oak and scarlet oak production decreased 64% from levels recorded in The only oaks that produced reliably in 2018 were white and chestnut oaks. White oak production was nearly identical to 2017 and 42% above the long-term average, while chestnut oak was 10% above the long-term average. The 2018 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook predicted an archery harvest similar to 2017 and a decreased December firearms harvest over the levels observed in The prediction held true for both the archery and December seasons, however, the overall harvest was much lower than Overall, the 2018 harvest declined during the September/ October, buck gun and December seasons, yet increased during the bow/crossbow season. Hunters killed 637 bears during the first segment of the 2018 archery season (September 29 November 18). Three-hundred seventy-four were taken with vertical bows, 263 with crossbows. The top five counties were McDowell (54), Wyoming (49), Fayette (34), Nicholas (33) and Boone (29) (Table 1). In all bear seasons combined, hunters using vertical bows killed 415 bears and hunters using crossbows killed 289 bears. Firearms hunters harvested 1,969 bears during (Table 1). This is a 23% decrease over the 2,547 bruins killed in 2017 (Table 4). Hunters took 565 bears in September and October (18 bears during the concurrent antlerless deer/ bear season), 537 during the concurrent buck-gun bear season, and 866 during the traditional December season. One bear was harvested during the first Mountaineer Heritage Season in Preston County (Table 1). The top five counties were Pocahontas (166), Randolph (143), Nicholas (142), Pendleton (126) and Webster (125). Non-hunting Mortalities One-hundred ninety-seven bears were killed on highways, were killed illegally, were destroyed, or succumbed from other non-hunting causes (electrocution, mange, etc.) (Tables 4 and 5). This is up 41% from the 140 non-hunting mortalities recorded in 2017 (Table 4). There were 119 deaths from vehicles in 2018 compared to 63 in The number of illegal deaths was down from 1 to 0 from 2017 to 2018, respectively. Miscellaneous deaths rose from 3 to 6 from 2017 to Bears killed for nuisance or damage activity, decreased to 72 in 2018 from the 73 reported in Damage Payments and Nuisance Complaints All hunters who pursue bears are required to buy bear damage stamps (Class DS). Funds derived from stamp sales are deposited in a special bear damage account to reimburse property owners for real and personal property damage caused by bears. The number of bear damage claims was down 12% from 124 in 2017 to 109 in 2018 (Table 6). However, total payments of $102,344 were 9% higher than the $93,534 paid out in Claims were reported in 27 counties in 2018 and 29 counties in There were 13 claims for bees (compared to 29 in 2017) totaling $14,138, 29 for livestock at $9,796 (13 in 2017), 40 for corn at $65,856 (52 in 2017), and 27 (30 in 2017) miscellaneous claims at $12,554. Preston County had the greatest dollar amount in compensations at $19,222 followed by Greenbrier ($17,677), Monroe ($15,786), Pendleton ($9,938) and Jefferson ($5,430). Preston County had the highest number of claims (18) followed by Greenbrier (13) then Braxton, Pendleton and Randolph (7 each). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) employees received 798 nuisance bear calls in 2018 compared to 648 in The 5 counties with the most complaints were Raleigh (120), Greenbrier (93), Fayette (59), Mercer (57) and Preston (33). 2 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

5 BLACK BEAR Black Bear Research Reproductive tracts and tooth collections from harvested bears provide the most cost-effective way to monitor the black bear population and are being used to help make decisions about changes in hunting regulations. Radio collars have only been left on a small number of females in the northern and southern part of the state (9 in 2018). These sows are used as surrogates for orphaned cubs whenever possible. In 2018, managers visited 3 sows with yearlings and tagged 3 yearlings. Managers visited 4 sows with neonate cubs (x _ = 2.75) and fostered 3 cubs. One sow did not have cubs or yearlings (due to advanced age). The dens of 2 sows with cubs were not entered. Monitoring the status of West Virginia s black bear population has always been a top priority for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Trends in bear population size are more realistic to obtain than absolute population numbers. In recent years, managers have shifted gears from growing the bear population to stabilizing population growth or reducing bear numbers in some management units. Accurate trend data is essential to making sound decisions on bear hunting seasons and bag limits. Tooth Collections Age data from the 2017 tooth samples have been received and hunters have been notified of their bear s age. Hunters submitted 1,669 usable teeth (correct tooth, tooth not broken, etc.) for age consideration. There were 23 cubs, 28% (460) were yearlings, 32% (530) were 2-year olds, 11% (180) were 3-year olds, and the remaining 29% (476) were 4-years old or older. Biologists use age data from hunterharvested bear teeth to calculate population estimates and mortality rates for black bears in West Virginia. The 1,669 usable teeth submitted in 2017 represent 53% of the total black bear harvest. This rate is higher than the 49% submitted in 2016, but still not very good considering tooth submission is mandatory. This rate should improve in the years to come which will allow for more precise estimates of population size. Reproductive Tract Collections Wildlife managers and biologists have been collecting female reproductive tracts to estimate litter size around the state for many years. The data gathered from reproductive tracts (cubs/female) mirrors data collected from visiting the dens of radio-tagged females. The information collected from examining female reproductive tracts can be obtained at far less cost than maintaining a large sample of radio-tagged females. Managers collected 38 reproductive tracts in Twenty-eight of the tracts supplied useful information. Reproductive tract data lags one year behind because researchers are waiting on age data. Information from reproductive tracts obtained in 2017 cannot be fully analyzed until ages are determined. One yearling tract was examined in 2017 and there was no evidence of breeding. Nine 2-year olds were examined in 2017 with 9 tracts containing 14 corpora lutea (x _ = 1.56) These bears would have given birth at age 3 to their first litters. Thirteen sows over the age of 3 showed evidence of breeding and averaged 2.85 corpora lutea. Five females over the age of 3 showed evidence of giving birth in 2017 and averaged 3 placental scars. One 8-year old sow had no evidence of corpora lutea or placental scars. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources offered hunters who turned in complete reproductive tracts a $20.00 gift card for their cooperation for the third time in The goal each year is to buy up to 100 reproductive tracts. Hunters submitted 22 reproductive tracts in 2018 and wildlife biologists collected an additional 17 reproductive tracts from bears that died throughout the year. These results will be reported next year BIG GAME BULLETIN 3

6 BLACK BEAR West Virginia Black Bear Harvest R² = Figure 1. West Virginia black bear harvest, WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

7 BLACK BEAR Table West Virginia Black Bear Harvest Bow/ Sept./Oct. Crossbow Gun Buck Gun December Firearms County Mountaineer Heritage TOTAL Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Tucker Wetzel District I Subtotal Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal STATE TOTAL Bears listed for Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties as Buck Gun are bow or crossbow kills from 11/19-12/2. Bow/Crossbow refers to bears killed with a bow or crossbow from September 29, November 18, All other bow and crossbow kills have been separated based on the seasons in which they were killed. Sept/Oct gun includes bears killed during concurrent antlerless deer/bear season 10/25-10/28 (18 bears) BIG GAME BULLETIN 5

8 BLACK BEAR Table 2. Sex ratios of West Virginia black bears for September or November gun season, bow season, December gun season and Mountaineer Heritage season Year Bow or gun season September/ October Bow season and/ or Early November gun season Late November or December or January gun season Annual Kill Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Total* 20-Yr Total ,272 Sex Ratios % 51% 73% 27% 60% 40% , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,686 1,049 2, ,641 1,051 2, , , ,951 1,250 3, ,798 1,214 3, , ,968 1,190 3, , , Year Total 3,581 3,063 9,920 6,240 16,727 9,135 30,228 18,438 48,666 Average Sex Ratios 54% 46% 61% 39% 65% 35% 62% 38% 2018 Sex Ratios 56% 44% 66% 34% 69% 31% 65% 35% *Represents bears of known sex and not the total harvest in each year. 6 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

9 BLACK BEAR Table 3. West Virginia total black bear harvest by county, County Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Tucker Wetzel District I Subtotal Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal STATE TOTAL 2,581 3,201 3,012 3,160 2, BIG GAME BULLETIN 7

10 BLACK BEAR Year Table 4. Number of black bears killed each year in West Virginia and cause of death Hunting Season Bow Gun Illegal Kill Road Kill Marauders Others Total 1970s Subtotal s Average Annual Bag: Bow 2; Gun s Subtotal 261 1, s Average Annual Bag: Bow 26; Gun s Subtotal 2,363 4, s Average Annual Bag: Bow 236; Gun , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , s Subtotal 5,935 10, s Average Annual Bag: Bow 600; Gun 1, , , , , , , , , , , ,091 2, , ,019 1, , , , , , s Subtotal 6,597 17, s Average Annual Bag: Bow 733; Gun 1,976 *November Gun Seasons held in 1989, and in certain counties. **September Season held in in certain counties. ***Check tags without season (<0.05%) marked were assumed gun kills for this table. ****Bow kill for indicates bears killed between the first day of archery season and the first day of buck firearms season, not all bears killed with a bow or crossbow. 8 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

11 BLACK BEAR Table 5. West Virginia 2018 nonseasonal black bear mortalities by county and type County Roadkills Illegal Destroyed Misc. Total Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Tucker Wetzel Dist. I Subtotal Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal Unknown State Total BIG GAME BULLETIN 9

12 BLACK BEAR Table 6. Black bear damage claims paid and payments by county County Claims Payments Claims Payments Claims Payments Claims Payments Claims Payments Barbour 1 $399 2 $1,396 1 $673 0 $0 0 $0 Berkeley 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 1 $4,629 1 $1,583 Boone 6 $2,770 3 $9,443 2 $777 0 $0 0 $0 Braxton 4 $750 1 $263 2 $486 6 $2,144 7 $3,719 Brooke 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Cabell 0 $0 1 $411 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Calhoun 0 $0 2 $364 1 $52 0 $0 1 $587 Clay 8 $1,954 2 $291 1 $205 0 $0 0 $0 Doddridge 1 $141 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Fayette 10 $6,695 7 $4,008 3 $1,891 3 $1,353 1 $40 Gilmer 1 $398 1 $100 1 $349 1 $105 0 $0 Grant 2 $5,578 4 $4,817 2 $1,086 2 $713 0 $0 Greenbrier 23 $24, $46, $41, $29, $17,677 Hampshire 3 $328 5 $2,927 5 $8,980 5 $1,606 0 $0 Hancock 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Hardy 8 $14,839 8 $3,382 8 $10,128 2 $527 5 $4,952 Harrison 2 $1,570 1 $150 0 $0 1 $170 0 $0 Jackson 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Jefferson 0 $0 1 $144 0 $0 0 $0 2 $5,430 Kanawha 1 $299 1 $138 3 $591 1 $180 1 $2,020 Lewis 1 $541 3 $1,733 1 $293 1 $268 2 $940 Lincoln 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Logan 5 $1,793 2 $293 0 $0 1 $352 3 $1,335 Marion 4 $1,360 4 $1,823 0 $0 4 $469 0 $0 Marshall 0 $0 1 $578 1 $951 0 $0 0 $0 Mason 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 McDowell 0 $0 2 $212 1 $125 0 $0 0 $0 Mercer 2 $633 6 $3, $6,089 4 $1,019 5 $797 Mineral 3 $1,200 1 $80 7 $6,294 6 $5,657 5 $2,885 Mingo 0 $0 5 $4,900 0 $0 1 $490 0 $0 Monongalia 2 $7,999 1 $606 0 $0 0 $0 1 $546 Monroe 1 $5,765 0 $0 5 $13,366 4 $3,786 6 $15,786 Morgan 5 $5,523 1 $674 1 $623 0 $0 3 $908 Nicholas 5 $1,107 5 $3, $3,519 5 $1,366 2 $984 Ohio 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Pendleton 13 $14, $21,839 9 $26,748 2 $901 7 $9,938 Pleasants 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Pocahontas 11 $9, $13, $19,425 9 $4,505 4 $3,747 Preston 10 $23,758 7 $18, $42, $19, $19,222 Putnam 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Raleigh 7 $2,726 3 $ $8,004 1 $359 1 $261 Randolph 13 $3,123 3 $363 5 $1,004 9 $2,550 7 $1,971 Ritchie 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Roane 2 $854 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Summers 3 $2,557 1 $173 3 $4,512 2 $1,942 6 $4,352 Taylor 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 1 $500 Tucker 2 $1,874 2 $5,288 2 $1,552 1 $4,766 1 $153 Tyler 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 1 $1,371 0 $0 Upshur 1 $227 4 $1,099 1 $45 2 $825 0 $0 Wayne 0 $0 0 $0 2 $696 0 $0 0 $0 Webster 0 $0 1 $250 1 $600 1 $85 3 $1,344 Wetzel 0 $0 3 $960 0 $0 3 $2,617 1 $286 Wirt 2 $775 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Wood 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Wyoming 1 $118 5 $554 0 $0 0 $0 2 $381 Total 163 $146, $154, $203, $93, $102, WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

13 Show support for West Virginia s wildlife wherever you go Purchase a new specialty wildlife license plate When you order or renew your plate, $15 of the registration cost goes directly to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources wildlife education programs. Show your support today. Visit DMV.WV.GOV to order online and learn more. dnrwv WildlifeWV wvdnr wvdnr.gov

14 WILD TURKEY Spring Harvest by Michael Peters Fall Harvest Spring gobbler season began in 1966 on our wildlife management areas and went statewide in According to the ELS hunters harvested 12,287 bearded turkeys during the 2018 spring gobbler season (Table 7), a 6% increase from This was the largest harvest in 15 years when 12,535 birds were harvested in This year s harvest was 21.64% above the 10-year average. This was the third year of West Virginia s spring gobbler season coming in a week earlier (i.e. the third Monday in April) than historically and the first year the entire state was open to Sunday hunting on private land. The first week s harvest, 5,734 birds, accounted for 46.67% of the total 4-week spring gobbler harvest (Table 8). The second week, which was traditionally the first week up to 2015, accounted for 22% of the season harvest. Weeks 3 and 4 combined made up 27.83% of the total harvest. There were 829 more birds killed the last two weeks in 2018 compared to Weather conditions the first week (i.e. flooding, snow, wind, and cold temperatures) probably contributed to the end of the season harvest. Youth hunters harvested 431 birds during the youth spring gobbler season which was 6% below last year s youth harvest. Four of the six DNR Districts reported increases over last year s harvest. District 4 and 5 harvested fewer birds than last year with District 4 s 2018 harvest being the lowest in the past five years. The counties in District 1 harvested the most birds again this year (3,418, more than 32% over the 2017 harvest) followed by District 6 (2,652), District 5 (1,812), District 3 (1,809), District 4 (1,517) and District 2 (1,079). The top five counties with the highest harvest were Preston (555), Mason (469), Jackson (460), Harrison (440), and Marshal (417). This marked the second year Sunday hunting was permitted on private land in all 55 counties and the first year on public lands. For the third consecutive year, due to regulatory changes, all West Virginia s 55 counties had at least a one week fall turkey season, which had a one bird either sex bag limit. Twenty-two counties had a one-week season, 19 counties, which had a spring harvest of at least 0.75 birds per square mile, were open to a split two-week season, and the 14 traditional counties had a four-week split season. Hunters harvested 1,215 turkeys (Table 9), up 28% from 2017 and 4% below the five-year average. The 2018 fall season was on par with a typical season. The 2018 brood production increased from last year, an indication of a potential increase in fall harvest from the previous year. All the districts had an increase in harvest over District 3 s 2018 harvest was 84% over District 3 harvested 319 birds, followed by District 1 (232), District 4 (230), District 6 (149), and District 5 (117). Leading the state was Randolph County, with hunters harvesting 76 birds, followed by Nicholas (68), Greenbrier (65), Upshur (58), and Preston (54) Counties. The top three counties had a four-week season with Preston and Upshur Counties having a two-week season. The 14 traditional counties, which have a four-week season, accounted for 44.8% of the state s fall turkey harvest. Overall the combined 2018 spring and fall turkey harvest ranked 14 compared to all previous hunting seasons (Table 10). 12 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

15 WILD TURKEY Surveys Spring Gobbler Survey The Wildlife Resources Section and the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) conduct an annual survey of spring gobbler hunters. The survey is done entirely by volunteer sportsmen who donate their time and effort to gather information to help the DNR manage wild turkeys. Typically, the West Virginian Chapter of NWTF sends survey forms to its members and the Wildlife Resources Section complies the data from these and other participants. A survey report is written and provided free to cooperators. The results from this survey were not available at the time of this printing. Hunters desiring a copy of the annual survey report need to participate in the survey. Spring gobbler hunters wanting to help are encouraged to contact; Spring Gobbler Survey, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241, phone (304) Those wishing to participate will be sent the necessary forms and a questionnaire prior to the spring hunting season. The survey is simple to conduct and a hunter does not have to harvest a gobbler to provide useful data. Most of the information collected deals with what hunters hear, see, or have an opinion on related to turkeys. Brood Survey Past studies have shown that the quantity of broods observed two years prior to a spring turkey season is a good indicator of the spring s gobbler harvest. The number of turkey broods observed in the spring is a good indicator of that year s fall harvest. Statewide, 36 observers noted 565 encounters with turkeys in Observations were 67% higher than 2017 (338 observations). This included 665 hens, 1,476 poults, 580 gobblers, 210 unknown birds, and 36 repeated observations. Removing the repeated observations yielded; 642 hens, 1,427 poults, 493 gobblers, 200 unknown, and a 2.22 poult to hen ratio for the entire observation period. The 2018 poult to hen ratio was 46.1% over 2017 observations (1.52 poults/hen). A total of 220 turkey broods were observed in 2018, a hundred more than last year. This is 83% above last year s observations and 16% above the 5-year average. The biggest change occurred in the Southern Ecological Region (Region 4) where brood observation increased by 150% from 2017 to The Western Ecological Region observations increased by 59% from last year. Overall poult production seems to be up over last years and still on par with observations between BIG GAME BULLETIN 13

16 WILD TURKEY Surveys continued... Mast Survey Active duty personnel and retirees from the Wildlife and Lew Enforcement Sections of the Division of Natural Resources and the Division of Forestry devoted their time to perform mast surveys this year. This survey has been conducted since 1970 and is our longest running survey. Two hundred thirty-six locations covering all regions of West Virginia were surveyed in Mast production for 18 tree and shrub species important to wildlife were observed. Compared to the 2017 survey the mast index for all species combined was down approximately 22%. Beech, walnut, oak, and hickory nut crops were all less abundant in 2018 than in Beech and walnut production were down more than 20%, while hickory production was down 13%. However, walnut and hickory production were respectively 31% and 37% above the 47-year average and should provide ample hard mast for squirrels. Oak mast production was down significantly from 2017, with red oak, black oak, and scarlet oak declining more than 64%. Performance of these species was also significantly below the 47-year long-term survey average, with the red oak/black oak group 70% below average and scarlet oak 64% below the average. Acorn production in the usually-reliable scrub oak was down more than 41% as compared to August 2017 and 31% below the long-term average. Chestnut oak production was down 30% from 2017 but remained 10% above the long-term average. White oak acorn production was nearly identical to the abundant crop produced in 2017 and was 42% above the long-term average. Even with abundant white oak acorn production, total oak mast production was nearly 24% below the long-term average. All soft mast producing species, except yellow-poplar, were below their 2017 performance levels. Apple production was down more than 30% statewide, likely due to deleterious effects of abnormally wet conditions upon overall fruit and tree health during the spring and summer months of Crabapple, hawthorn, black cherry, and sassafras were all more than 20% below production levels observed during August 2017, and black cherry and sassafras production were more than 20% below the 47-year survey average. Blackberry production was slightly below the long-term average and 12% below the amount observed in However, dogwood, grape, and greenbrier crop production was similar to levels observed last year, and fruit production in all of these species was above the long-term average. When considering all mast-producing species, the 2018 mast index was 22% below last year and approximately 5% below the 47-year survey average. Production of hickories, walnuts, and oaks were nearly 13% below the long-term average, and this difference was driven primarily by the sharp decline in the acorn crop. Total hard mast crop production was 29% below 2017 levels and 5% below the long-term average. RETURNS April 1-6, 2019 MORE trout. MORE locations. MORE chances to strike gold! dnrwv wvdnr WildlifeWV #wvgoldrush 14 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION wvgoldrush.com

17 WILD TURKEY Table 7. Spring harvest of wild turkeys in West Virginia, County Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Tucker Wetzel Dist. I Subtotal 1,992 1,837 2,092 2,582 3,418 Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal ,032 1,079 Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal 1,245 1,399 1,617 1,731 1,809 Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal 1,764 1,728 1,982 1,859 1,517 Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal 1,468 1,510 1,810 2,092 1,812 Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal 1,835 1,678 1,927 2,249 2,652 State Total 9,128 9,037 10,361 11,545 12, BIG GAME BULLETIN 15

18 WILD TURKEY Table 8. Spring wild turkey harvest in West Virginia by week of season, Week of Season Birds Harvested % Birds Harvested % Youth Week 1 6, , Week 2 2, , Week 3 1, , Week 4 1, , Unknown State Total 11, , WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

19 WILD TURKEY Table 9. Fall harvest of wild turkeys in West Virginia, County Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Tucker Wetzel Dist. I Subtotal Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Mineral Morgan Pendleton Jefferson Dist. II Subtotal Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal State Total 956 1,140 2, , BIG GAME BULLETIN 17

20 WILD TURKEY Table 10. Total spring and fall wild turkey harvest, West Virginia, Year Spring Fall Total Rank ,334 1, , ,697 1, ,430 3, ,020 3, ,374 2, ,353 2, ,038 3, ,158 2, ,827 3, ,860 2, ,998 3, ,803 3, ,421 3, ,459 3,696 5, ,970 3,135 5, ,458 5,684 8, ,627 2,224 4, ,387 2,414 5, ,215 2,343 6, ,774 3,130 7, ,665 4,114 9, ,526 2,939 9, ,245 2,204 9, ,152 3,504 12, ,097 3,690 13, ,299 3,518 14, ,428 3,536 16, ,501 3,351 18, ,770 3,211 19, ,618 2,870 19, ,021 3,385 17, ,467 1,678 14, ,241 2,901 14, ,794 1,541 14, ,875 3,505 21, ,385 2,808 16, ,535 1,841 14, ,573 1,357 11, ,957 1,130 12, ,735 1,186 12, ,965 1,511 11, ,929 1,206 11, ,787 1,208 10, ,209 1,126 11, ,190 1,186 10, ,303 1,294 9, ,162 1,019 12, , , ,037 1,140 10, ,361 2,066 12, , , ,287 1,215 13, Total 388, , , WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

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22 WILD BOAR by Christopher W. Ryan Hunters killed 137 boars during the 2018 season. This was the highest harvest in the last two decades since Hunters had the opportunity to hunt from February 1-3, 2019 in addition to archery season and the firearms season the last week of October. This new season produced great results with a harvest of 49 boars. Two boars were harvested in Logan County with archery equipment during the new season and twenty and twentyseven were harvested in Boone and Logan counties with firearms, respectively. Firearms hunters took 63 boars (37 in Logan County and 26 in Boone County) and archers killed 74 (52 in Logan County and 22 in Boone County). Crossbow hunters accounted for 22 kills. Raleigh and Wyoming County had no reported kills. The mast conditions, especially oak, were much lower in ecological region 3 during 2018 where the boar population is located. This led to the high number of archery kills. Boars were introduced in 1971 to supplement big game populations and did well enough to accommodate a hunting season in Harvests have ranged from 3 that year to 158 in The decline in the population since the late 1990 s led to the removal of the December season in The single October firearms season was designed to reduce the harvest and to allow boars to move into unoccupied habitats. Traditionally, hunters have been less successful during Octobers when weather conditions are warm and dry and leaf fall makes boar sign more difficult to find. Hunters had suggested bringing back a late for several years. Biologists analyzed the data and proposed the stand-alone season in February to allow hunters a unique opportunity. The Natural Resources Commission approved the season and hunters responded accordingly by setting out and enjoying an event that never existed. Biologists will continue to the track the impact of this new season and make proposals accordingly. Table 11. Wild boar harvest by weapon, 2018 County Crossbow Archery Gun Total Boone Logan Total Table 12. West Virginia wild boar harvest, Year Total Kill Total 2, WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

23 20 19 Admission Adults: $10 Ages 15 and under: FREE Stonewall Resort State Park Roanoke, W.Va. (located off I-79 Exit 91) Outdoor activity seminars led by experts Outdoor Youth Challenge Hands-on activities for kids Learn to clean a fish, shoot a rifle and cast a fishing line More than 100 vendors and exhibits wvdnr.gov/nhfd SEPT A.M. 6 P.M.

24 WHITE-TAILED DEER by James M. Crum Deer Season 2018 and January 2019 Tables 13 through 18 contain the 2018 white-tailed deer hunter harvest information for each of West Virginia s 55 counties. In 2018 and January 2019, deer hunters harvested a total of 108,856 deer in the combined deer seasons. This is within 1% of the 2017 harvest of 108,160 and 11% below the previous five-year harvest average of 122,924. The combined deer season harvest for 2018 is the 30th largest total deer harvest on record for West Virginia. The 2018 total deer harvest represents one deer killed for every 135 acres of deer habitat in the state, and a 57% harvest decrease from the record harvest of 255,356 deer in From 1945 through 2018, a total of 6,463,925 deer have been recorded as harvested in West Virginia (Fig. 2). Forty eight percent (3,120,221) of the total recorded deer harvest of the past 73 years has occurred in the last 20 years. In 2018, the traditional bucks-only firearm season harvest of antlered bucks was 44,599, a 1% increase from the 2017 harvest (Table 13). This is 9% less than the five-year average bucks-only firearm season harvest of 48,997 and ranks 35th among all past years. The 2018 antlerless deer harvest taken with a firearm decreased by 2.5% from that of 2017 and was 68.5% less than the record harvest of 104,199 in A total of 32,751 antlerless deer (Table 15) were taken with a firearm during the antlerless deer season and the Youth, Class Q/QQ (physically challenged) and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season. This year marked the seventh year for an October firearm antlerless deer season however a day was added this October segment (October 25-28). The traditional December antlerless season was also increased from three to four days (December 6-9) and moved to follow buck firearms season rather than muzzleloader season. The antlerless deer maximum season bag limit was decreased from 4 to 3 in 2012 and continued to remain at 3 for In comparison to 2017, the antlerless bag limit in 2018 was decreased in 8 counties from 3 antlerless deer to 1 antlerless deer. Three counties that had limited permits in 2017 were opened to unlimited permits in Two counties with unlimited permits in 2017 were reduced to limited permits in The firearm antlerless deer season was open in 2018 for 25 days on private land in 50 counties or portions thereof. In 5 counties and portions of 3 more, Figure 2. White-tailed deer harvest in West Virginia from WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

25 WHITE-TAILED DEER the season was closed. Of the counties open for antlerless deer hunting to resident and nonresident hunters, 26 counties and portions of 3 counties had a bag limit of three antlerless deer, and 15 more counties and portions of 4 counties had a bag limit of one antlerless deer. Four counties and portions of 3 counties in 2018 were limited to resident and nonresident hunters who had to apply for limited permits. The antlerless season was closed on a large portion of National Forest land. Similar to 2017, all Monongahela National Forest land in Pocahontas, and Randolph counties was closed to firearm antlerless hunting. Qualifying youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS license holders had an additional three-day antlerless-only season on private and public land in counties having a firearms deer hunting season. The 2018 special split deer season for youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS hunters was the eleventh year for the season to be open on private land in all 51 counties open to a deer firearms season, the seventh year that all public lands in the 51 counties were open and also the seventh year that Senior Lifetime Class XS license holders could participate. The 2018 antlerless season harvest was 33rd highest on record and 20% less than the five-year average antlerless harvest of 40,859. The 2018 deer statewide archery (bow/crossbow) season opened September 29, 2018, one day earlier than the 2017 season. In the 2018 archery season (including urban archery and 23 deer taken with long or recurve bows in the Mountaineer Heritage season), a harvest of 26,636 was recorded which includes 13,369 deer harvested during the archery season with a crossbow. Deer reported as harvested with a crossbow represented 50% of the total archery season harvest and ranged from 17% to 68% of archery harvest of antlered deer by county. This year s archery harvest was 1.6% more than the 2017 archery season, 18th highest on record and 3% below the five-year average of 27,506 (Table 14). The 2018 muzzleloader harvest was 4,870 a 15% increase from the 2017 harvest of 4,243 but includes 636 deer taken with side lock and flintlock muzzleloaders in the Mountaineer Heritage season. This is 12% below the five-year average harvest of 5,540, and the 33rd out of 36 years the muzzleloader season has existed in West Virginia (Table 16). Some changes to the muzzleloader season that occurred in 2012 were reversed in In 2012 the early 6-day special antlerless muzzleloader deer season in September was dropped and the traditional mid-december portion of the season was moved to early December opening the Monday following the close of buck firearm season. In 2018 the September portion remained dropped but the December portion was moved to mid-december (December 10-16) after the antlerless deer season. In 2018, hunting on Sunday was permissible in West Virginia for the 18th year since In 2001, all counties were open to hunting on Sunday. In 2002, a total of 20 counties were open to hunting on Sunday. From 2003 through 2013, there were 14 counties open to hunting on Sunday. In counties, in counties, in counties and in 2017 all counties were open to hunting on Sunday on private land with written permission. In 2018 all counties were open to hunting on Sunday on both private and public land making 14 additional days available for deer hunting in 2018 deer seasons. All 14 days were open for bow and crossbow hunters who recorded taking 4,001 deer on Sundays, or 15% of the total 2018 archery (bow/ crossbow) harvest. Four Sundays were open for antlerless firearms deer hunting and 2,623 deer were reported as harvested. One Sunday was open for taking an antlered deer with a firearm (the Sunday after Thanksgiving November 25th), and 876 antlered bucks were reported as harvested. In the 2018 deer season, 51 counties were open to the twoweek bucks-only season. The desired buck harvest per square mile was not exceeded by more than one buck per square mile in any county open to firearms deer hunting. There were six counties with a buck harvest of one buck per square mile lower than the desired harvest. For the remaining 45 counties, the buck harvest was within one buck per square mile of the desired harvest for the county. In contrast to 2017, no counties exceeded the desired buck harvest per square mile by at least one buck per square mile and 11 counties were lower than the desired harvest while 40 counties were within one buck per square mile of the desired buck harvest BIG GAME BULLETIN 23

26 WHITE-TAILED DEER Figure 3. Deer harvested by sex in West Virginia from Deer Season 2018 and January 2019 continued... The harvest of antlerless deer is the key to healthier, heavier, and more productive deer herds. This is because there are natural limits to the number of deer the land can support. When these natural limits are exceeded, deer body weights, reproductive rates, antler development, and herd health declines, including an increased likelihood that deer will die over winter. If deer exceed natural limits long enough, habitat quality is reduced which produces a long-term reduction in the natural limit of deer the land can support. To avoid these problems a minimum of 70 females for every 100 bucks is generally required just to stabilize a deer herd. If a decrease in the herd is warranted, the percentage of females needs to be above 40%. Figure 3 depicts the total deer harvest in West Virginia from 1993 through 2018 by the sex composition of the harvest for each year in relation to the percentage of female deer harvested. This figure appears to reflect the stabilizing effect the 40% female harvest has on the number of deer harvested. The 2018 deer harvest records indicate the percentage of female deer in the harvest was 38.2% down slightly from the 38.8% recorded in 2017 which is expected to stabilize the statewide deer herd. However, the percentage of female deer in the harvest of individual counties in 2018 varied from 12% to 46% which reflects antlerless deer season frameworks design for individual counties to grow, reduce, or stabilize the deer population on a county basis. Over the last 10 years the yearly average number of reported antlered bucks harvested during all deer seasons is 3 antlered bucks per square mile of deer habitat in West Virginia or one buck per 214 acres. Hunters and landowners must continually assess their expectations of the proper number of deer sightings versus the visible impacts deer have on vegetation, and manage the state s deer herd by participating and encouraging antlerless deer harvest where needed. This benefits not only the deer herd, but all wildlife dependent on our state s woodland habitat. 24 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

27 Special Deer Management Harvest WHITE-TAILED DEER Deer taken by hunters in the Special Urban Deer Season and Special Split Youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season do not count toward the hunter s regular deer season bag limits nor require the hunter to purchase a Class N/NN or additional deer stamps. However, these deer are included in tables 13 through 18 as part of the 2018 deer season harvest. The Special Urban Deer Season is available to incorporated cities and homeowner associations, which may open three weeks prior to the opening of statewide deer archery season and close January 31, The extension through January 2019 was the first year for this expanded opportunity. During this special season, up to seven deer may be taken by each hunter. This is the 14th year that homeowner associations have taken advantage of the special urban archery deer season to address deer population management. For information regarding implementing a special season contact your local city government or homeowner s association. In the special split Youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season, a total of 1,890 antlerless deer were harvested. This season was open on private land and public land in any county open to a firearms deer season on October 20, 2018, and again December 26 and 27, This was the 21st year a Youth special season was held. To participate, hunters had to hold a Class Q license, or be a youth at least eight and less than 18 years of age on the day of the season, or possess a Senior Lifetime Class XS license. Youth hunters, age 8-14, must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years of age and youths age must comply with all regular season license requirements for junior sportsman hunting or hunt with resident landowner privileges. The 2018 season was the ninth year for participation by the age youths and the seventh year for participation by Class XS license holders. The daily bag limit was one antlerless deer. Hunters harvested 1,129 deer on the first day, October 20th and an additional 396 and 365 deer on December 26th and 27th, respectively. Overall the harvest for the 2018 special Youth, Class Q and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season increased 15% from The harvest for the 2018 first day was up 15% from the first day of the 2017 season and the second and third days of the 2018 season were up 28% and 69% respectively, from the reported harvest in Special controlled deer hunts were held in 2018 on nine West Virginia State Parks. A total of 192 deer (152 antlerless and 40 antlered deer) were harvested. These deer are not included in tables 13 through 18 as part of the 2018 deer harvest. Seven deer were taken at Beech Fork State Park, 36 deer at Cacapon State Park,14 deer at Canaan Valley State, five deer at Lost River State Park, 32 deer at North Bend State Park, 25 deer at Pipestem State Park, 55 deer at Stonewall Jackson State Park, eight deer at Twin Falls State Park and 10 deer at Watoga State Park. This was the fourth year for such a hunt on Pipestem State Park, the third year for a hunt at Cacapon State Park, and the second year for a controlled deer hunt at North Bend State Park. All state park controlled deer hunts are by application only. Visit to apply on-line. Deer are a keystone species in West Virginia s natural world and proper stewardship of our State s flora and fauna require that deer management be addressed on all lands BIG GAME BULLETIN 25

28 WHITE-TAILED DEER Nonseasonal Mortalities Nonseasonal mortalities are those deer deaths that are not associated with the harvest of deer by hunters. Figure 4 depicts nonseasonal deer mortalities that are associated with human/deer conflicts (i.e., vehicle collisions and crop damage). The public, DNR Natural Resource Police Officers, and DNR Wildlife Resources personnel routinely report nonseasonal mortalities. The WV Department of Transportation, Division of Highways (DOH) -Traffic Engineering Division, provides monthly summaries of vehicle killed deer that are encountered by DOH personnel. DNR Natural Resource Police Officers provide wildlife damage investigation reports from which the number of deer killed for crop damage is obtained. The reported nonseasonal mortalities from vehicle collisions in 2018 were not available at the time of preparation of this document so therefore 2018 vehicle deer kills are not reported or depicted in Figure 4. Deer killed on crop damage permits increased in DNR Districts 4, and 5, decreased in Districts 1, 2 and 3 and remained the same in District 6. Overall, deer killed through the crop damage permit system in 2018 decreased by 26%, with 2,017 deer killed on crop damage permits in 2017 and 1,493 recorded in The occurrence of deer reportedly killed by collisions with vehicles and deer reported as killed for crop damage follow similar trends. Although other factors such as deer food supply (such as acorns), number and average speed of vehicles, and crop growing conditions like drought influence these trends, a major factor is deer population (Fig. 4). Figure 4. Vehicle and crop damage kills in West Virginia from WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

29 WHITE-TAILED DEER Deer Hunting Outlook Overall deer hunting opportunities for hunters across the state in 2019 are proposed to be similar to those in 2018 with the exception of decreased antlerless deer season bag limits and some reduction in hunting opportunities in counties where recorded deer harvest data indicates female deer harvest should be decreased to stabilize or increase current deer populations. The 2018 deer seasons were the fourth year for electronic game checking system and the third year hunters were directed to take deer harvested on the first two days of the traditional buck firearm season to specially designated locations where wildlife agency personnel could examine the deer. In Berkeley and Mineral counties this required examination was for the collection of biological information such as age and antler development and to collect samples for CWD testing. A similar requirement may be asked of hunters in the 2019 deer seasons. Hunter cooperation in delivering their deer to the biological examination stations and recording their harvest though out the deer season is an integral part to the DNR s ability to manage deer in West Virginia. Hunters have helped manage deer in the state since mandatory game checking began in 1929 and the information provided by hunters is the foundation for tracking deer herd trends and monitoring doe harvest impacts. To register your harvest visit call (1-844-WVCheck) or visit a license agent. The 2019 deer archery (bow/crossbow) season opening date is proposed to open the last Saturday in September (September 28th) which is one day earlier than the September 29th opening in The expanded January portion of the urban archery deer seasons available to incorporated cities and homeowner associations put in place last year is proposed to remain available in January The liberal bag limit and extended season length available for the season has provided incorporated cities and homeowner associations a reliable and efficient method to address locally over abundant deer populations. Antlerless deer hunting opportunities for the 2019 muzzleloader season are proposed to follow guidelines adopted in 2012 muzzleloader deer season regulations. In counties with unlimited Class N/NN antlerless deer permits and an antlerless Class N/NN season bag limit of one or more, hunters would be able to take two deer of either sex during the muzzleloader season, provided the second muzzleloader deer is taken on an additional muzzleloader deer stamp (RM for residents and RMM for nonresident hunters). In counties with limited lottery Class N/NN antlerless season and a one antlerless deer Class N/NN season bag limit, hunters in the 2019 muzzleloader season can take one deer of either sex but the second muzzleloader season deer taken on the RM or RMM additional muzzleloader deer stamp can only be an antlered deer, provided the hunter has not filled the maximum annual bag limit (excluding special urban archery hunts) of three antlered bucks. Overall the Class N/NN antlerless deer season is proposed to remain the same in 2019 as it was in 2018 in many counties. An October Class N/NN antlerless deer season is again proposed for the fall of 2019and is proposed to occur October 24th through 27th. The number of antlerless deer that can be taken with a firearm is proposed to remain one to a maximum of three deer depending on the need to stabilize, increase or decrease the county deer population. Some counties with a one antlerless deer bag limit maybe restricted to resident and non-resident hunters chosen by lottery. Again, as in the past three years, a split Special Youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season is proposed to be held on October 19th and 20th and open again on December 26th and 27th on private and public lands in the 51 counties open to firearms deer season. This season would be closed in Logan, Mingo, McDowell, or Wyoming counties. Please refer to the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for further details on all deer hunting seasons because any proposed seasons and bag limits have not been approved by the Natural Resources Commission at this time. White-tailed deer hunting season regulations for 2019 will be published and available to hunters in July of This newsprint-like pamphlet contains complete information on gun, archery, muzzleloading, and antlerless deer hunting, plus other hunting regulations on turkey, bear, boar, and small game. Hunters will be able to obtain a copy from any DNR office or any business that sells West Virginia hunting licenses or visit the Wildlife Resources Section on the web at BIG GAME BULLETIN 27

30 WHITE-TAILED DEER Deer Hunting Outlook continued... Efforts to control the spread and monitor chronic wasting disease (CWD) in free-ranging deer in West Virginia by DNR, landowners, and hunters are ongoing. In the 2018 deer seasons, samples taken from 814 hunter-harvested deer brought to DNR staffed stations were tested for CWD. Twenty seven samples were found to have the abnormal protein associated with CWD. CWD has now been detected in a total of 350 deer in Hampshire County and six deer in Hardy County, 15 in Berkeley County, four deer Mineral County and one deer in Morgan County. Lowering encounter rates between infected and noninfected animals by prohibiting artificial supplemental feeding and baiting are generally accepted management practices for slowing the spread of an infectious disease among wildlife and initiating these prohibitions on a statewide or regional basis for deer is a major tool used by other states combating CWD. Currently (February 2019) in West Virginia in all of Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral and Morgan counties it is illegal to bait or feed deer any time. In addition, hunters are prohibited from transporting dead deer or their parts beyond the boundary of Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral and Morgan counties except for the following: meat that has been boned out, quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, cleaned hide with no head attached, clean skull plate (no meat or tissue attached) with antlers attached, antlers with no meat or tissue attached, and finished taxidermy mounts. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have detected CWD positive deer adjacent to Hampshire County in Frederick and Shenandoah County VA and Allegany County MD. In addition, PA Game Commission has detected CWD positive deer in Bedford, Blair and Fulton counties adjacent and north of Allegany County MD. To reduce the risk of spreading CWD to new areas, other states have made it illegal to possess or use deer scents/ lures that contain natural deer urine or other bodily fluids while taking, attempting to take, attracting, or scouting wildlife. All West Virginia deer hunters are urged to use caution in spreading natural deer urine based lures in the environment and ask not to place deer urine lures on the ground or on vegetation where deer can reach them. Additionally, a well-documented method of spreading CWD across long distances is the movement of live species of deer for commercial purposes. Many organizations such as the Quality Deer Management Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and The Wildlife Society have recognized the threat the pen propagation and translocation of deer species represent to the wild deer and elk resources that are enjoyed by all citizens. This threat is not only from CWD but also from the introduction of other pathogens and genetic consequences, which have the potential to devastate our revered deer resource. For more information on CWD and the current status of the disease in West Virginia contact any DNR office or visit the Wildlife Resources Section on the web at 28 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

31 WHITE-TAILED DEER Table 13. West Virginia Antlered Buck Harvest, County Barbour 886 1,281 1, Brooke Hancock Harrison 930 1,418 1,138 1, Marion 702 1, Marshall Monongalia 689 1, Ohio Preston 1,526 2,046 1,774 1,947 1,607 Taylor Tucker Wetzel 891 1, Dist. I Subtotal 7,961 11,219 9,286 8,769 7,963 Berkeley Grant 783 1, ,194 1,219 Hampshire 1,094 1,947 1,197 1,386 1,471 Hardy 920 1,709 1,076 1,198 1,212 Jefferson Mineral 835 1, ,011 1,048 Morgan Pendleton 861 1,297 1,088 1,018 1,275 Dist. II Subtotal 5,812 9,677 6,833 7,482 8,067 Braxton 921 1,660 1,102 1,233 1,017 Clay Lewis 1,166 1,875 1,246 1,216 1,001 Nicholas 871 1,274 1, ,060 Pocahontas 831 1, , Randolph 1,291 1,659 1,617 1,633 1,685 Upshur 1,009 1,704 1,399 1,025 1,155 Webster 632 1, Dist. III Subtotal 7,050 10,878 8,660 8,392 8,287 Fayette 725 1, Greenbrier 1,372 1,816 1,447 1,628 1,481 McDowell Mercer Monroe 1,004 1,462 1,099 1,295 1,193 Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal 4,666 7,229 5,376 5,844 5,614 Boone Cabell Kanawha 730 1,547 1,058 1,046 1,214 Lincoln 720 1, Logan Mason 1,002 1,488 1, ,206 Mingo Putnam 565 1, Wayne Dist. V Subtotal 4,485 7,933 6,228 4,616 6,374 Calhoun 504 1, Doddridge 615 1, Gilmer 669 1, Jackson 1,107 1,870 1,487 1,096 1,380 Pleasants Ritchie 1,123 2,024 1,422 1,338 1,065 Roane 927 1,846 1,178 1,186 1,176 Tyler 566 1, Wirt 681 1, Wood 1,011 1,556 1, ,001 Dist. VI Subtotal 7,476 13,878 9,688 9,024 8,294 State Total 37,450 60,814 46,071 44,127 44, BIG GAME BULLETIN 29

32 WHITE-TAILED DEER Table 14. West Virginia Archery/Crossbow Harvest, County Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston 999 1,415 1,265 1,469 1,333 Taylor Tucker Wetzel Dist. I Subtotal 4,972 6,531 5,723 5,933 5,370 Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal 2,283 3,250 2,713 2,971 3,083 Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal 3,535 5,214 4,485 4,367 4,204 Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh 640 1, Summers Wyoming 686 1, Dist. IV Subtotal 4,215 6,296 4,776 5,291 5,169 Boone Cabell Kanawha 771 1, ,045 Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal 4,171 5,902 4,716 3,632 4,870 Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal 3,105 5,347 4,111 4,012 3,940 State Total 22,281 32,540 26,524 26,206 26, WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

33 WHITE-TAILED DEER Table 15. West Virginia Antlerless Harvest, County Barbour 1, Brooke Hancock Harrison 1,255 1,228 1,045 1, Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston 1,818 1,437 1,635 1,703 1,799 Taylor Tucker Wetzel Dist. I Subtotal 9,978 8,489 7,869 7,648 6,909 Berkeley Grant Hampshire 1,054 1, ,068 Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal 5,686 6,051 4,828 5,075 5,471 Braxton 1,266 1, , Clay Lewis 1,414 1,753 1,377 1,258 1,160 Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph 1, Upshur 1,359 1,271 1,605 1,300 1,289 Webster Dist. III Subtotal 6,207 5,952 5,962 5,846 5,858 Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe 1,194 1, ,099 Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal 3,733 3,750 3,073 3,512 3,517 Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason 1,425 1,593 1,370 1, Mingo Putnam 800 1, Wayne Dist. V Subtotal 4,430 4,621 4,082 3,076 3,159 Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer 779 1, Jackson 1,304 1,521 1,317 1,122 1,183 Pleasants Ritchie 1,303 1,622 1,309 1,290 1,123 Roane 1,244 1,514 1,123 1,101 1,073 Tyler Wirt 919 1, Wood 1,529 1,436 1,218 1,087 1,057 Dist. VI Subtotal 9,399 10,989 8,978 8,427 7,837 State Total 39,433 39,852 34,792 33,584 32, BIG GAME BULLETIN 31

34 WHITE-TAILED DEER Table 16. West Virginia Muzzleloader Harvest, County Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Tucker Wetzel Dist. I Subtotal 1,287 1,007 1, Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal 1,282 1,106 1, ,131 Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal 954 1, State Total 5,543 5,178 4,997 4,243 4, WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

35 WHITE-TAILED DEER Table 17. Deer Mortality by Type of Season in West Virginia, County Buck Gun Antlerless Archery/ Crossbow Muzzleloader Mountaineer Heritage Total Barbour ,478 Brooke Hancock Harrison ,390 Marion ,726 Marshall ,364 Monongalia ,106 Ohio Preston 1,607 1,799 1, ,952 Taylor ,327 Tucker ,716 Wetzel ,487 Dist. I Subtotal 7,963 6,909 5, ,207 Berkeley ,172 Grant 1, ,332 Hampshire 1,471 1, ,015 Hardy 1, ,369 Jefferson ,385 Mineral 1, ,180 Morgan ,483 Pendleton 1, ,282 Dist. II Subtotal 8,067 5,471 3, ,218 Braxton 1, ,459 Clay ,057 Lewis 1,001 1, ,771 Nicholas 1, ,756 Pocahontas ,521 Randolph 1, ,654 Upshur 1,155 1, ,296 Webster ,966 Dist. III Subtotal 8,287 5,858 4, ,480 Fayette ,298 Greenbrier 1, ,075 McDowell Mercer ,725 Monroe 1,193 1, ,890 Raleigh ,774 Summers ,685 Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal 5,614 3,517 5, ,051 Boone ,380 Cabell ,450 Kanawha 1, , ,887 Lincoln ,739 Logan Mason 1, ,880 Mingo Putnam ,391 Wayne ,111 Dist. V Subtotal 6,374 3,159 4, ,020 Calhoun ,716 Doddridge ,568 Gilmer ,888 Jackson 1,380 1, ,393 Pleasants Ritchie 1,065 1, ,790 Roane 1,176 1, ,822 Tyler ,409 Wirt ,821 Wood 1,001 1, ,885 Dist. VI Subtotal 8,294 7,837 3, ,880 State Total 44,599 32,751 26,613 4, , BIG GAME BULLETIN 33

36 WHITE-TAILED DEER Table 18. West Virginia 2018 deer kill per square mile of habitat by season (calculated using deer habitat open by county for season, all seasons combined kill based on total deer habitat for county). County Area Bucks Antlerless Muzzleloader Archery/ Crossbow 34 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION All Seasons Combined Barbour Brooke Hancock Harrison Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Tucker Wetzel Dist. I Subtotal 3, Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton Dist. II Subtotal 3, Braxton Clay Lewis Nicholas Pocahontas Randolph 1, Upshur Webster Dist. III Subtotal 4, Fayette Greenbrier McDowell Mercer Monroe Raleigh Summers Wyoming Dist. IV Subtotal 4, Boone Cabell Kanawha Lincoln Logan Mason Mingo Putnam Wayne Dist. V Subtotal 3, Calhoun Doddridge Gilmer Jackson Pleasants Ritchie Roane Tyler Wirt Wood Dist. VI Subtotal 3, State Total 22, *Note counties or portions thereof not open to Class N antlerless deer season include special youth, Class Q/QQ and Class XS season harvest however antlerless kill per square mile is calculated only on area open to Class N season if a portion of the county is closed to Class N season.

37 Notes 2018 BIG GAME BULLETIN 35

38 Notes 36 WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION

39 Checking game is as easy as 1, 2, 3 with West Virginia s electronic system: Log In. Stop In. Call In. Need a DNR ID number? Log onto wvhunt.com, visit any local license agent, or call a DNR District Office. dnrwv WildlifeWV wvdnr wvdnr.gov